Nigeria’s Telecoms Subscriptions Cross 200m Milestone, Maintain Steady Growth

Emma Okonji

Nigeria’s active mobile subscriptions across networks, reached 200,337,097 in September 2026, with a teledensity of 92.41 per cent, up from 197,416,694 subscriptions that were recorded in August 2026, according to the recent statistics released by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to the statistics, there has been a steady growth in the number of active mobile subscriptions across all networks since January this year, a development that industry experts have attributed to a balanced regulatory intervention from the Nigerian Communications Commission.  

The data showed that MTN alone recorded 104,648,077 as at September 2026, making it the first telecoms company to cross the 100 million subscriber milestone since the rollout of GSM services in Nigeria in 2001.

From the statistics, in January 2026, the number of telecoms subscriptions was 182,225,258 with a teledensity of 84.06 per cent, but the number increased to 184,603,928 subscriptions with a teledensity of 85.16 per cent in February 2026.

In March 2026, the number of telecoms subscriptions increased again to 185,718,018 with a teledensity of 85.67per cent, with a further increase to 188,009,171 subscriptions with a teledensity of 86.73 per cent in April 2026.

In May 2026, telecoms subscriptions increased again to 189,675,650 with a teledensity of 87.50 per cent.

As at June 2026, the total subscriber number across networks was 192,232,120, with a teledensity of 88.67 per cent, but the figure increased to 195,108,814 with a teledensity of 90 per cent in July 2026, according to NCC’s statistics.

In August 2026, the number of telecoms subscriptions increased again to 197,416,694 with a teledensity of 91.07 per cent, before reaching 200,337,097 subscriptions with a teledensity of 92.41per cent in September 2026.

Commenting on the steady growth of telecoms subscriptions across networks, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, attributed the growth trajectory to a stable regulatory framework that has continued to empower telecoms operators to provide varieties of services that would further enhance subscribers’ experience and the growth of the telecoms sector.

He assured subscribers of the commitment of telecoms operators to further grow the telecoms sector.